2019 Lexus RC 350 Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byCalvin KimVehicle Test Engineer

　　Calvin Kim is an automotive journalist at zzdcar.

　　

What's new

Refreshed front and rear stylingRetuned suspension for sharper handlingNew smartphone integration via Apple CarPlayPart of the first RC generation introduced for 2015

　　The 2019 Lexus RC 350 has the look of an exotic sport coupe, but this isn't something that's going to outgun a Porsche 911. In its rear-wheel-drive spec, the RC 350 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. That's decently quick, but well off the pace of other performance coupes. The RC is best suited for show, not go.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Lexus RC 350 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$200/mo  for RC 350 Base

　　RC 350 Base

　　2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A) - $44,075 MSRP2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $46,240 MSRPF SPORT 2dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $50,790 MSRPF SPORT 2dr Coupe AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $52,400 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　This approach has its advantages. Its interior is well-made and impressively quiet on the highway. And although the RC's infotainment system can get frustrating to operate, it features Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa integration this year. The optional Mark Levinson sound system deserves lots of praise, too.

　　If you're mostly interested in comfortable highway and commuting transportation that also looks great, the 2019 Lexus RC 350 is a strong contender. Just be aware that there are rivals that can offer similar luxury yet superior performance potential.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.2 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions, although trim levels share many aspects. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Lexus RC 350 (3.5L V6 | 8-speed automatic | RWD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.2 / 10
Driving	8.0
Comfort	8.0
Interior	7.0
Utility	6.5
Technology	6.5

　　

Driving

8.0

　　Outright performance isn't the game the RC 350 prefers to play. Instead, its smooth V6 engine delivers ample, though not impressive, power, and it moves and handles confidently at all speeds. Summer performance tires return fairly good braking and handling numbers should you decide to drive with some gusto.

　　

Acceleration

7.5

　　This V6 engine sees duty in a few other Lexus vehicles, and it does good work in the RC 350. Midrange power is strong, and it pulls smoothly and sonorously to redline. Accelerating to 60 mph takes 6.2 seconds, which isn't as quick as some of its competition, let alone some family sedans.

　　

Braking

8.0

　　Whether you're driving the RC 350 in town or on a challenging road, the brake pedal is firm, intuitive and consistent. Smooth stops are a breeze, but you have just as much confidence slowing from much higher speeds. Panic-braking stops from 60 mph took 115 feet, which is fairly respectable for a 3,800-pound coupe.

　　

Steering

8.0

　　The wheel delivers pleasing feedback from the road and the front tires. Yet the assist is balanced, and it's never overly busy. It keeps straight and stable on the freeway, and it doesn't require correction when you turn into a corner. Multi-modal steering weights are slightly different.

　　

Handling

8.0

　　The car responds well to steering inputs but surprisingly lacks a sport coupe's eagerness to change direction. Much of that comes down to the weight of the RC, which weighs in at over 3,800 pounds. But the RC 350 will inspire confidence and is ultimately easy to handle at the limit.

　　

Drivability

7.5

　　The drivetrain in the RC 350 holds up the luxury end of the bargain with smooth and effortless performance. Of the three driving modes, Sport mode gives the best throttle response without being the least bit jumpy. Normal mode makes the car feel unresponsive, and Eco mode only serves to exacerbate that sluggish behavior.

　　

Comfort

8.0

　　Space notwithstanding, the RC provides the level of suppleness you'd expect from a luxury brand. The interior is quiet, soft and well-controlled by the heating and cooling from the dash and front seats. Though the RC is a four-seater, the rear seats are best left to children or used to carry small items.

　　

Seat comfort

7.5

　　The well-bolstered seats help keep you in place while cornering but the bolsters aren't so large that they make the seats uncomfortable. The cushions are firm, but we experienced little fatigue during long drives. Heating and cooling work exceptionally well. The rear seats lack headroom and legroom for adults.

　　

Ride comfort

7.0

　　The stiff, sporty ride matches the RC 350's visuals but lacks suppleness over less-than-perfect surfaces. In short, it's busy and can be tiring over longer drives. Oddly enough, when this Lexus is driven with some verve, the suspension shows a softer side and allows for more body roll than you'd expect.

　　

Noise & vibration

8.5

　　The RC exhibits minimal wind and road noise at any speed. The 19-inch wheels and summer tires make a small amount of noise, but you only notice it when the stereo is off. Under moderate to heavy acceleration, the V6 engine makes a pleasing howl but is never intrusive or out of character.

　　

Climate control

8.0

　　The vents are easy to position and quiet during typical operation. Both heating and air conditioning work quickly. The touch-sensitive controls require more focus than they should, but at least you can make big adjustments by quickly swiping up or down. Seat heating and ventilation are similarly effective and quiet.

　　

Interior

7.0

　　The RC's interior is easy to see out of, easy to climb into, easy on the eyes, and mostly easy to figure out. Alas, it has a poor exterior-to-interior space ratio — especially with regard to the rear seats — and operating the entertainment system is a nuisance.

　　

Ease of use

6.5

　　It takes a bit to get used to the layout of the center stack's organization and use of multiple types of inputs, both physical and touch-sensitive. But everything makes sense with practice. The touchpad that controls the entertainment system requires too much attention from the driver.

　　

Getting in/getting out

7.0

　　Like with many coupes, long doors can be an issue in tight parking lots. Once open, there's plenty of space to duck inside without banging your head against the roof. The front seats automatically slide forward to allow easier access to the rear, but once seated, they threaten your shins as they return.

　　

Driving position

8.0

　　The power-adjustable driver's seat and steering wheel have wide ranges, so they can accommodate a variety of body types. Once set, all gauges are visible and important controls fall into easy reach. The armrests sit nearly equal distance and height apart, allowing you to rest both elbows.

　　

Roominess

6.0

　　Despite being one of the larger luxury coupes in the segment, the RC has the smallest interior. While occupants of average height will find the front seats adequate, we struggle to think who the rear seats would serve since they have less legroom and headroom than some two-door sports cars.

　　

Visibility

7.5

　　You have a clear view ahead and out the side. The side mirrors sit far enough away and back from the windshield pillars to avoid large blind spots. The available electronic blind-spot monitoring alleviates the rest. The rear view is largely unimpeded by the rear headrests. Overall, visibility is decent, considering the coupe proportions.

　　

Quality

8.0

　　The RC boasts meticulous attention to detail. The gaps are uniform throughout, and the absence of squeaks and rattles provides a sense of quality assembly throughout the interior. Some plastic materials, especially the panel that surrounds the center clock and air vents, look slightly out of place.

　　

Utility

6.5

　　Even for a coupe, the RC's storage space is tight. The trunk can handle little more than the necessities of a weekend getaway, and the interior has few solutions for large bottles as well as bags and backpacks. You'll find larger and more accommodating interiors and trunks in competitors.

　　

Small-item storage

6.5

　　The center console has just enough room for a few phones. The door pockets fall on the smaller side of the spectrum, and there are just two cupholders. Outside of these options, the back seat becomes the main storage space for larger bags and sports bottles.

　　

Cargo space

6.0

　　At 10.4 cubic feet, the RC's trunk is among the smallest in its competitive set. While you can get more room by lowering the rear seats, you can't do so from the trunk. You have to climb into the back to reach the release switches. At least there's a large-diameter spare tire under the floor mat.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

6.5

　　The lower car seat anchors sit under an easy-to-access flap at the seat bottom. The top anchors are likewise easy to find and attach. The main issue is the limited space that's common with coupes. Once you install the car seat, you won't want to make a habit of taking it in and out often.

　　

Technology

6.5

　　Though the large entertainment screen looks impressive, it's frustrating to operate. That it locks out many functions while moving might be a good thing because of how cumbersome it is. Phone integration is middling, and a head-up display is not available. At least the optional stereo sounds terrific.

　　

Audio & navigation

5.5

　　The optional and powerful 17-speaker, 835-watt stereo sounds fantastic. The wide 10.3-inch entertainment screen looks good, too. Alas, the software is awkward to operate and behind the curve in terms of features. What's worse is you can't use many functions while moving. You're better off using your phone.

　　

Smartphone integration

7.0

　　Only Apple CarPlay is supported, so iPhone owners are in luck. While annoying during typical operation, the touchpad works well in this setup. Android Auto is not currently available, nor is wireless charging. There are two USB ports in the center console, but neither is of the modern USB-C variety.

　　

Driver aids

7.0

　　Adaptive cruise control manages speed without needing much driver input. Unfortunately, it doesn't work under 25 mph, so it's ineffective during the most frustrating parts of the commute. You also have to be ready on the brake pedal for when traffic slows ahead and the system stops working.

　　

Voice control

6.5

　　The systems requires specific prompts instead of natural language. While changing radio stations wasn't a problem, the system had difficulty understanding street and city names, no matter how clearly and slowly we called them out. Your best bet is plugging in your phone and using Siri or Google Voice.

　　

Which RC 350 does zzdcar recommend?

　　Get the rear-wheel-drive RC 350 in F Sport trim. It adds adaptive suspension dampers and some appealing cosmetic touches. A mechanical limited-slip rear differential that improves rear grip is available as a relatively inexpensive option. It's worth it to add if you know you'll be in the mountains on twisty roads. Shy away from the rear steer system since its variable gear ratio steering rack saps steering feel.

　　

2019 Lexus RC 350 models

　　The 2019 Lexus RC 350 comes in two versions: base and F Sport. Both are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 (311 horsepower, 280 pound-feet of torque) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission for rear-wheel-drive models. A six-speed automatic comes with all-wheel-drive versions.

　　Standard feature highlights include 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, power-adjustable front seats, heated seats (AWD models only), simulated-leather upholstery, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, a 7-inch display, and a 10-speaker sound system with satellite radio.

　　Also standard is adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and mitigation, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist, and Lexus Enform communication and remote services.

　　The F Sport fits the RC with appearance items such as a mesh grille and a unique front fascia along with substantive bits including 19-inch wheels, adaptive sport-tuned suspension dampers, and sport front seats with heating and ventilation. F Sport models also get the Navigation and Premium packages (see below), perforated-leather upholstery and trim, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, driver-seat memory settings, and a special instrument cluster.

　　Several option packages are offered, although availability can vary depending on where you live. The Premium package adds heated and ventilated front seats, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic wipers, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and driver-seat memory settings. The Navigation package includes a console-mounted touchpad controller, a 10.3-inch display, upgraded voice commands and integrated navigation.

　　Other options include a 17-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system, a sunroof, upgraded headlights, LED foglights, variable-ratio steering with a four-wheel steering system (RWD F Sport only), a limited-slip differential (RWD F Sport only), blind-spot monitoring, and front and rear parking sensors.

　　

2019 RC 350 Highlights

Trim: BaseF SPORTBase

　　

Base MSRP	$44,075
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$200/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	10.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles